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nicktalbot77
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MSSQL Failover Cluster w/ Physical Mode RDM's - Migrating to New San

I am migrating from an old Oracle ZS4-4 to a new Netapp AFF A300.

I have an mssql cluster that uses Physical mode RDM's.

The vm's for the sql cluster are stored on a datastore backed by the Oracle ZS4-4

The vmdk's that are associated with the physical mode RDM's are stored with the vm's on the same datastore

I have been following this guide (http://www.jpaul.me/2012/07/how-to-migrate-ms-sql-cluster-to-a-new-san/ )

Essentially, it has you cut RDM's on the new SAN, store the associated vmdk's with the existing vm's (on the old Oracle storage) and introduce them to the sql cluster, then migrate the data to the new RDM'S.

My question is, once this is all done, the vmdk's for these new RDM's  will still be stored on a datastore on the old Oracle storage, how do I migrate the vm's to the new storage once they have the new RDM's attached, and the old RDM's removed.

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TheBobkin
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Hello Nick,

Yes, the files the VMs required to operate can be migrated to new storage or the vmdks can be detached, remaining VM files migrated, then descriptors and pointers re-created there.

Bob

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TheBobkin
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Hello Nick,

It should be possible to Storage vMotion the VM and thus relocate the Physical RDM pointers and vmdk:

kb.vmware.com/kb/1005241

As these files are essentially just a descriptor and pointer, you could always remove, delete and re-add new ones on destination storage:

communities.vmware.com/thread/479996

Bob

nicktalbot77
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Bob -

So once I have the RDM's from the new storage presented and in use by the vm, and I have removed the old rdm's from the vm, I should be able to migrate the vm's to a vmfs datastore hosted on the new netapp storage?

Thanks for your reply!

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TheBobkin
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Hello Nick,

Yes, the files the VMs required to operate can be migrated to new storage or the vmdks can be detached, remaining VM files migrated, then descriptors and pointers re-created there.

Bob

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TheBobkin
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Hello Nick,

Do note as per that kb article that you have to use the Web Client if migrating with Physical RDMs over 2TB.

Bob